I would like to encourage hosts to carefully consider the ca...
I would like to encourage hosts to carefully consider the captions to their photos.in particular, if I am considering booking...
I was searching for my listing on Davenport, FL. I couldn't find it. It is entitled Freedom Oasis. I had a couple of bookings last weekend and this weekend and wanted to see if anyone left a review. I don't even know how to find them. I actually canceled about 3-4 one night stays as we have minimum 2 nights. It actually costs more at the price point to have the cleaners come in for one night stays and there is no profitability in it especially for 8 people. If you add in the shampoo samples for three bathrooms, soaps, conditioner, toilet paper, coffee, creamer. That puts you a negative right away. I am trying to do right by people and not be taken advantage of. Can someone give me a few pointers as well as tell me why my listing may not be on there? I know I am new maybe a month or two if that.
/R
Byron S Ater
Answered! Go to Top Answer
Hi @Byron177
Your listing is live, but shows no reviews yet. When a guest posts a review, you'll be notified by email and you will also see it in the message thread. A good way to get guests to review you, is to review them (if you haven't done so yet). Both parties have 14 days after check-out to post their reviews.
I'm worried about the fact that you say you cancelled some bookings. Were they confirmed bookings, or just requests to book? As a host, canceling confirmed bookings counts heavily against you and should be avoided as far as possible. If you don't want to accept short bookings, set a minimum stay (in the Availability tab of the calendar) as @Marie8425 has suggested.
If you're worried about pricing, you could consider setting a base price for a certain number of guests and then adding an extra-guest fee for the rest. For example, you could have a minimum charge for up to 4 guests (which will make your listing more affordable for small groups) and then charge extra from the 5th guest onwards, or however you prefer. You can set this up in the Pricing tab of the calendar. At the moment your listing costs the same, regardless of whether 1 or 8 guests book it. This is not necessarily wrong, just something you need to consider and perhaps compare to the pricing structure of your competitors. It may be difficult to get the place booked in low season if you always charge the full 8-person price.
Regarding costs - I agree that it's very expensive to keep amenities stocked and to have everything cleaned and laundered. Most costs are incurred when you change guests. To make shorter stays profitable, you could add a cleaning fee. This is charged per booking (not per night) and helps to recover the large expenses at guest changeovers. It means short stays will work out relatively more expensive on a per-night basis than longer stays.
Beautiful property. Amazing. Congratulations!
Some suggestions.
Set a minimum stay not only is 8 guests one night not good for normal expenses, your property is too nice to actually chance a group of 8 staying somewhere 1 night. That is a red flag to Hosts.
Photos use the captions use the Airbnb room Folders and provide a vasal walk through of the property. Show a dining space show a deck show pool skew jacuzzi.
Amenities review should be a lot higher. Say kitchen but you also need to name appliances it varies.
Add clothing storage things like that not every rental has add everything you offer.
Use New Listing Discount that really helps get your first 3
Tweak your ad description a bit Location sounds good. Describe how the best layout for your best market, Adult group or adult/children group. Remember a potential Guest is vacationing for a week with their group, what would you look for in a rental?
Hi @Byron177
Your listing is live, but shows no reviews yet. When a guest posts a review, you'll be notified by email and you will also see it in the message thread. A good way to get guests to review you, is to review them (if you haven't done so yet). Both parties have 14 days after check-out to post their reviews.
I'm worried about the fact that you say you cancelled some bookings. Were they confirmed bookings, or just requests to book? As a host, canceling confirmed bookings counts heavily against you and should be avoided as far as possible. If you don't want to accept short bookings, set a minimum stay (in the Availability tab of the calendar) as @Marie8425 has suggested.
If you're worried about pricing, you could consider setting a base price for a certain number of guests and then adding an extra-guest fee for the rest. For example, you could have a minimum charge for up to 4 guests (which will make your listing more affordable for small groups) and then charge extra from the 5th guest onwards, or however you prefer. You can set this up in the Pricing tab of the calendar. At the moment your listing costs the same, regardless of whether 1 or 8 guests book it. This is not necessarily wrong, just something you need to consider and perhaps compare to the pricing structure of your competitors. It may be difficult to get the place booked in low season if you always charge the full 8-person price.
Regarding costs - I agree that it's very expensive to keep amenities stocked and to have everything cleaned and laundered. Most costs are incurred when you change guests. To make shorter stays profitable, you could add a cleaning fee. This is charged per booking (not per night) and helps to recover the large expenses at guest changeovers. It means short stays will work out relatively more expensive on a per-night basis than longer stays.
Great advice already from @Shelley159 & @Marie8425
Here is a Guide for New Hosts that has some addl tips:
https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-Guides/A-Guide-For-New-Hosts/td-p/2073093
Thank you for the information that is some of the things I was looking for. I didn't know how to change that from 8 to a group of say a normal family. To me anyone that is have 2 adults can stay for 2 nights at $175 but each adult after that is $15 per night per adult. Where do I add the $135 for cleaning I put it on as my addition for cleaning. I just don't see where Airbnb is charging it. To answer you question about cancelling the one night stays. Yes they were automatically confirmed. I cancelled them. Received a phone call from Airbnb and explained to them that we do not have a one night stay minimum nor does the resort allow a one night stay. We only have a two night stay minimum. I went out and seen that my 2 night stay had not been saved. It was actually a 1 night stay. So I put it back to 2 night stay. The person I spoke to thanked me even sent me congratulating me for being a good person on for Airbnb. I even explained to the people through the messenger. So I don't know what else I could do. If I don't give the main office their name to check in they will not issue them a tag to get into the gate to allow them to drive to any of the townhouses. That is what upset only one person. Who made a complaint. They were from California and they wanted a review on him. I gave him all 1's and explained what happened as well.
Byron
Hi @Byron177!
I see that Shelley's amazing feedback helped you to answer your post. Thank you so much @Shelley159!🤗
Where you able to clear your thoughts with all this answers? Let us know if you need anything else.
Best,
Alex
I just added my reply. Ignore this one.
Okay I found it through your posting. I think it looks great. But definitely be careful of canceling. It will hurt your ratings. Since you're new, maybe don't let guests book automatically, but have to message you first. Not ideal, but one way to avoid having to cancel on them. Also, if they book with you for a one-night stay, and you have your listing availability for only longer stays, then contact AirBNB support to handle the cancelation. I hope this helps. You can also copy the link to your listing, save it on your computer, or phone so you can pull it up in the future.